Redefining the Future of Dentistry: Why Virtual Dental Assistants Are Changing Everything
In this episode of The Dental CEO Podcast℠, Dr. Scott Leune explores how virtual dental assistants and modern technology are transforming the way dental offices operate. Joined by Cory Pinnegar, CEO of Reach, Scott dives deep into the business case for outsourcing administrative work, improving dental office staffing, and embracing AI in dentistry to solve long-standing operational challenges.
The Dental CEO Podcast – Where Business Meets Dentistry
The Dental CEO Podcast℠ is where Dr. Leune brings business strategy, leadership, and dental practice management together. Each episode translates real-world challenges from dental entrepreneurs into practical solutions that make private practices more profitable, scalable, and efficient.
Meet the Host – Dr. Scott Leune
Dr. Scott Leune is one of the most respected voices in dental practice management and entrepreneurship. As the founder of Breakaway Practice, he has mentored thousands of dentists on how to build sustainable, profitable practices. Scott’s straightforward approach focuses on real business systems, team development, and smart use of technology. He believes that innovation, not more stress – should drive growth in dentistry.
About the Guest – Cory Pinnegar, CEO of Reach
Cory Pinnegar is the founder and CEO of Reach, a company that helps dental practices scale through virtual dental assistants and remote support teams. Starting as a young entrepreneur with a vision to modernize communication and operations in healthcare, Cory built Reach into a global organization spanning 10 countries with over 1,000 team members. His focus on efficiency, training, and ethical globalization has made Reach a leader in dental practice management and remote dental jobs. Scott highlights Cory’s passion for building people, simplifying operations, and using technology to solve real business challenges for dentists.
Key Highlights
1. A New Era of Efficiency
Scott emphasizes that virtual dental assistants are no longer a future concept – they’re here now. He explains how practices can delegate insurance verification, patient recalls, and billing tasks to trained professionals working remotely. Dr. Leune knows this model reduces overhead, boosts productivity, and frees up in-office staff to focus on patients.
2. Smarter Staffing Solutions
Scott believes that the biggest struggle in dentistry today is staffing. Finding, training, and retaining team members is harder than ever. By integrating virtual dental assistants into the workflow, practices can stabilize operations and support their in-office teams, turning burnout into balance.
3. Rethinking Practice Management
Dr. Leune emphasizes that great dental practice management means working smarter, not harder. By shifting low-value administrative tasks off-site, dentists can focus on growth, patient care, and leadership. This reallocation of effort creates more value and higher profitability per hour worked.
4. Global Talent, Local Results
Scott Leune knows that remote dental jobs open new possibilities for both sides of the profession. Talented professionals from around the world can now support U.S. dental offices while earning competitive pay in their home countries. He highlights how this global model improves service quality, reduces cost, and creates meaningful employment opportunities abroad.
5. Technology and AI
Scott believes AI in dentistry is accelerating the shift toward automation and precision. From VoIP systems to AI-driven scheduling, technology now enables seamless collaboration between on-site teams and remote assistants. This evolution not only enhances efficiency but also raises the overall patient experience.
Conclusion
Dr. Scott Leune makes it clear: the future of dentistry belongs to those who innovate. Integrating virtual dental assistants, adopting modern dental practice management systems, and leveraging AI in dentistry are no longer optional-they’re essential. As he reminds listeners, dentists who rethink how they manage time, talent, and technology will build practices that are more resilient, profitable, and fulfilling for everyone involved.
Find more actionable tips for building and managing your dental practice in our blog.